A true beginnger here.
I received my parents old American Flyer train. It ran fine the last time used, but that was about 25 years ago. Now, when I connect it up, it won't move on the tracks.
Here's what I've tested. I can connect the transformer directly to the tender and the wheels on the train move and the lights come on. Moving the speeds on the transformer makes the wheels go faster and slower.
I set a meter to AC and set it to 10 (next closest setting is 50) and connected the wires from the meter directly to the transformer. The meter went to about 10.
Then I connected the transformer to the track. It does not use a clip on style connection, but rather a unit that is encased and has a device in the center (between the tracks) that lifts up and down. When we turn the transformer on, the device in the center lifts up when the transformer is on (and down when off). I tested the track with the meter and get nothing. I've tested the track with the whole layout in place and with just on one piece of track that has the connector for the transformer.
Sorry, I can't explain better. I can upload pictures if needed (I think).
All help appreciated.
Thanks
Dirty track and/or wheels?
Regards, Chris
It sounds like what you're hooking the power up to is the uncoupling track; the up and down gizmo is to uncouple the cars. It by itself doesn't transfer power to the track. I bet if you touch the wires from the transformer directly to the rails with the power on, the engine will move. If so, you'll need a power clip-on or a separate power track (depending on what type of track you have). Otherwise you can solder the wires to the outside of each rail.
I still have my old American Flyer. That clip is the power clip to carry power from the transformer to the track. Sounds like a poor connection. Set up a pair of wires from the transformer to the track using binder clips, or something, to hold the bare wires to the track. Then see if the engine runs which it probably will.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrainThat clip is the power clip to carry power from the transformer to the track.
Yes, my American Flyer has a clip that does what you say. But the OP is describing an encased assembly the moves up and down when powered/disconnected. This does sound like it is to activate something, either an uncoupler or maybe a dump car.
I wouldn't be surprised to find that the enclosed thing is supposed to be connected to a pushbutton which is then connected to the power supply.
This is what my track terminal looks like:
maxman, you may be right but, in any event, he should connect two wires from the transformer to the track.
My c.1962 American Flyer train set had a track with two connectors that went from the transformer to the track, and another two that went from the transformer to a push-button, then to the uncoupling track. What the OP describes certainly sounds to me like that uncoupling track.
BTW American Flyer originally had tinplate track with three or four ties per section, kinda like Lionel three-rail O track. Later they changed to plastic ties, so the track sections looked more like an S-gauge version of Atlas snap-track. That what I had in my train set. If that's the case for the OP, the clip-on won't work. In any case, he needs one way or another to try connecting the transformer outputs directly to the rails.
wjstix My c.1962 American Flyer train set had a track with two connectors that went from the transformer to the track, and another two that went from the transformer to a push-button, then to the uncoupling track. What the OP describes certainly sounds to me like that uncoupling track. BTW American Flyer originally had tinplate track with three or four ties per section, kinda like Lionel three-rail O track. Later they changed to plastic ties, so the track sections looked more like an S-gauge version of Atlas snap-track. That what I had in my train set. If that's the case for the OP, the clip-on won't work. In any case, he needs one way or another to try connecting the transformer outputs directly to the rails.
He should post this in the Toy Trains forum, where I think he'll find more resources.
richhotrainI guess it depends upon the year of manufacture. Mine is from 1947, and the track is all steel including the ties. We are talking about S gauge, aren't we?
Yes S-gauge. My track looked like this:
ttps://www.ebay.com/itm/266702107443?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=266702107443&targetid=2295557531950&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9019539&poi=&campaignid=19851828444&mkgroupid=160536780385&rlsatarget=aud-1315132079929:pla-2295557531950&abcId=9307249&merchantid=114758070&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpNuyBhCuARIsANJqL9M7D70piXgS-YLXgyaAO8N5hTTykUbvA6rT9LFhFp4rhDrvoRFDLOIaAmJeEALw_wcB
I don't have a photo handy to post, but my 1947 rack is silver colored metal rails and huge black colored metal ties that look nothing like the prototype.
Here is an eBay photo of the track like mine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175732400113?itmmeta=01HZ2E86TPKFB9MZT356GDMWSP&hash=item28ea779ff1:g:6BsAAOSwNhRmFJxi&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8M8gGY6ZhDxkLo1QusaPO%2FVPYhVS7EH01%2FyFncOqDAqkTwVyMwkwzrEDevUVIMIhnuV97oJOxFHkbZ%2FTsYN55QBrjrz90UceU7RNIe9GI1rjpHZFwYsHXGGJ3HqiVCdMzsNlPzNQwWUcFKxQj%2B96kVKNrKYuPeoEfHoeNSK%2FIJYx1JINfBtnXHJgxWkF2GV45eXHWgC1VSkY0xAoZCqqMzhjSRbPqWH4xo9o4KlMOBwu8Jbbfq72vFeiu4Kf6F9SS0jJNb3Dh7uOyNsMlXJQlqiJyZ%2B0eyby%2B1O9mU6qwbcWUASQPpV6Pg51T3IT1u4Vjg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7jtoM74Yw
This is probably what the OP is referring to:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/196396799617?itmmeta=01HZ2EEA8A2RT8ZV6951H7EY0N&hash=item2dba295681:g:qfMAAOSwWkZmRA4J&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8CSt6ppJ00jJnmiFVoXiy0kwBefUWucnrSYAKjALKqBrg7s%2BjFjL1O6gGOnQyX%2BK%2B%2FRVzAyNBzQDMiKby755pCkTRf%2FQ2mg27LBn53pcBe0tzfl7BSjp6dONl%2Fd6dadAv0gJc0BNSjsohrqd%2BR%2BypW31bmRA5FfxRYaKpoGAQUt%2BijLzSHojdud%2BDBwEsiBVv%2Bkf47UY0c5Dt4SurF%2BBOpINbxaUgOedTt4NXqOf0hgpWIl%2FBg2ViU5%2BMyYsJr7qEh9jynPsb78h%2Bdotk%2BUpTDkMNoFO1lGshJbhQIXSTIeaL96UhWrkoRkITvt5aV4ANA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMnqS5zvhj
I think you are correct. And my AF track looks like the photo, except maybe a little more rusty.
richhotrain This is probably what the OP is referring to: https://www.ebay.com/itm/196396799617?itmmeta=01HZ2EEA8A2RT8ZV6951H7EY0N&hash=item2dba295681:g:qfMAAOSwWkZmRA4J&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8CSt6ppJ00jJnmiFVoXiy0kwBefUWucnrSYAKjALKqBrg7s%2BjFjL1O6gGOnQyX%2BK%2B%2FRVzAyNBzQDMiKby755pCkTRf%2FQ2mg27LBn53pcBe0tzfl7BSjp6dONl%2Fd6dadAv0gJc0BNSjsohrqd%2BR%2BypW31bmRA5FfxRYaKpoGAQUt%2BijLzSHojdud%2BDBwEsiBVv%2Bkf47UY0c5Dt4SurF%2BBOpINbxaUgOedTt4NXqOf0hgpWIl%2FBg2ViU5%2BMyYsJr7qEh9jynPsb78h%2Bdotk%2BUpTDkMNoFO1lGshJbhQIXSTIeaL96UhWrkoRkITvt5aV4ANA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMnqS5zvhj
Yes, that is the older (for tinplate track) uncoupling track. My later one was a separate piece of straight track, but same button and same principal.